During the week of October 22, 2012, ABC finished No. 1 for the 2nd straight week in the non-sports Adult 18-49 averages (2.1/6-tie). In addition, based on all programming, the Network ranked No. 1 with Women 18-49 for the 2nd week in a row and for the 3rd time in 5 weeks this season.

· Building its Adult 18-49 number (+5%) for the 2nd week in a row, ABC equaled its highest-rated week this season – tying season-premiere week, w/o 9/24/12.

Rankings: ABC claimed 6 of the Top 15 scripted TV shows of the week Adults 18-49: “Modern Family” – No. 3, “Once Upon a Time” – No. 5, “Grey’s Anatomy” – No. 8, “Suburgatory” and “Revenge” tied at No. 11 and “The Middle” – No. 14. Based on its 2.1 rating point increase this season in the L+7 data, ABC’s “Modern Family” will finish as the week’s No. 1 comedy in Adults 18-49. ABC’s “DWTS: All-Stars” stood as the week’s most-watched unscripted series overall for the 4th time in 5 weeks this season.

Monday

“Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars” (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

Surging from 8:00-9:00 p.m., a one-hour edition of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars” stood as Monday’s most-watched TV series for the 3rd straight week and topped NBC’s “The Voice” in head-to-head competition in the time period by 1.3 million viewers (13.3 million vs. 12.0 million).

· “DWTS” saw its audience grow by 1.2 million Total Viewers (12.7 million to 13.9 million) and by 14% in Adults 18-49 (2.2/6 to 2.5/6) from its first half-hour to its second half-hour.

· Building week to week in viewers (+2%) and young adults (+20%), “DWTS” marked its best performance in the time period since its season premiere Monday – since 9/24/12. In addition, it was the show’s highest Adult 18-49 rating since its season opener.

Please Note: ABC’s “Castle” was pre-empted for the Presidential debate.

· Growing over the prior week’s “Results Show” by 15% in Adults 18-49, “DWTS: All-Stars” scored ABC’s best performance in the hour in 8 months – since 2/7/12.

“Happy Endings” (9:00-9:31 p.m.)

In the 9:00 p.m. half-hour, the season premiere of ABC’s “Happy Endings” topped Fox’s “New Girl” by 8% in Total Viewers (5.6 million vs. 5.2 million).

· Growing over its season finale in April with viewers (+51%) and young adults (+6%), “Happy Endings” scored its largest audience since February – since 2/29/12.

· “Happy Endings” delivered ABC’s best performance with comedy programming in the half-hour in Total Viewers in nearly 4 years and in Adults 18-49 in almost 3 years – since 1/6/09 and 12/8/09, respectively.

“Don’t Trust the B—- in Apt 23” (9:31-10:00 p.m.)

From 9:30-10:00 p.m., ABC’s season premiere of “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apt 23” finished second in its slot among the major nets with Adults 18-34, Men 18-34 and Women 18-34, beating its NBC comedy competition (“The New Normal”) by solid margins.

· The sophomore ABC series turned in the Net’s strongest performance with original comedy programming in the slot in both Total Viewers (4.3 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.7/4) since December 2009 – since 12/1/09.

Up against Game 1 of the 2012 World Series, ABC finished in a virtual tie as the No. 1 non-sports network on Wednesday in Adults 18-49 (2.7/7 vs. 2.8/8), while beating CBS as the non-sports leader with Adults 18-34. The Net won the night outright in key Women (W18-34/W18-49).

· For its 4th straight broadcast this season, ABC’s “Modern Family” registered as Wednesday’s No. 1 TV show in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, outdelivering Fox’s World Series telecast.

“The Middle” (8:00-8:30 p.m.)

At 8:00 p.m., ABC’s “The Middle” ran in a near-tie with CBS’ “Survivor” as the No. 1 series in the half-hour in Adults 18-49 (2.6/8 vs. 2.7/8 – pacing within 1-tenth of a rating point and tied in audience share). In addition, the ABC comedy once again beat out “Survivor” in Adults 18-34 and Men 18-34, while ranking No. 1 straight out over the Fall Classic with Women 18-34 and Women 18-49.

· Despite the World Series competition, “The Middle” built its overall audience (+5% – 8.8 million vs. 8.4 million) for the 3rd straight week and increased 4% in Adults 18-49 to achieve best-since-premiere numbers. In addition the ABC family comedy shot up to season highs in Teens 12-17 and Kids 2-11, posting the series’ top teen number since early January and its highest kids rating in nearly 2 years – since 1/4/12 and 11/17/10, respectively.

“The Neighbors” (8:30-9:00 p.m.)

At 8:30 p.m., ABC’s “The Neighbors” increased its dominance over its freshman comedy competition, beating NBC’s “Guys with Kids” by a best-yet 3.2 million viewers (7.0 million vs. 3.8 million) and by 43% in Adults 18-49 (2.0/6 vs. 1.4/4).

· Like its lead-in, “The Neighbors” grew its overall audience for the 3rd straight week (+8%) to a new time-period high, while also gaining 5% in Adults 18-49 to equal its top rating in the slot. The ABC family comedy hit a series high for the 2nd straight week with Kids 2-11 and marked a new time-period high with Teens 12-17.

“Modern Family” (9:00-9:31 p.m.)

Shooting to the top of its 9:00 p.m. slot in viewers and young adults, ABC’s “Modern Family” outdelivered its nearest series competition (CBS’ “Criminal Minds”) by 1.0 million viewers (12.5 million vs. 11.5 million) and by 63% in Adults 18-49 (4.9/13 vs. 3.0/8).

· “Modern Family” increased it overall audience for the 2nd week running (+2%) and moved up 4% in Adults 18-49, earning its highest numbers since its season premiere on both counts.

“Suburgatory” (9:31-10:00 p.m.)

Retaining nearly all of its week-ago season opener in the 9:30 p.m. half-hour in viewers (99%) and young adults (96%), ABC’s “Suburgatory” stood as the No. 2 non-sports show in Adults 18-49 (2.7/7), while finishing as the top-rated non-sports show with Women 18-34 and as the No. 1 broadcast series with Teens 12-17.

“Nashville” (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

During the 10 o’clock hour, ABC’s “Nashville” continued to stand as the No. 1 new drama over NBC’s “Chicago Fire” in Total Viewers (6.5 million vs. 6.4 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.0/6 vs. 1.8/5). In addition, ABC’s “Nashville” beat out CBS’ veteran “CSI” for the 3rd consecutive week to rank as the No. 1 broadcast series with Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34.

· “Nashville” held 100% retention week to week across all key Adult demos (AD18-34/AD18-49/AD25-54), while surging 10% over the prior week in Men 18-34 against the World Series.

· ABC’s “Nashville” continues to be a huge gainer in DVR playback. Based on Live + 3 Day data for last Wednesday’s second telecast (10/17/12), “Nashville” jumped over its Live + Same Day number by +2.6 million viewers (+38%) to draw 9.3 million on average, and shot up 50% in Adults 18-49 (+1.0 rating) to deliver a 3.0 rating. In fact, “Nashville’s” DVR increase was greater than NBC’s “Revolution” on Monday at 10:00 p.m. (10/15/12) in both Total Viewers (+37%) and Adults 18-49 (+42%).

· One of the biggest gainers from DVR playback for any 8:00 p.m. show this season, ABC’s “Last Resort” shoots up by 2.6 million viewers and by 48% (+1.0 rating) in Adults 18-49 from the next-day L+SD numbers to the final L+7 numbers.

· On average, “Last Resort” is improving its time period by strong double-digits margins in Total Viewers (+23%) and Adults 18-49 (+35%) over the same point last season with original drama programming.

“Grey’s Anatomy” (9:00-10:02 p.m.)

More than doubling its lead-in among Adults 18-49 (+131% – 2.9/8 vs. 1.3/4) at 9:00 p.m. against the World Series, ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” ranked as the highest-rated series in the hour and as Thursday’s No. 1 drama for its 4th consecutive airing this season. The ABC drama dominated its hour across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

· Spiking in DVR Playback this season, “Grey’s” adds 3.4 million viewers and 1.6 Adult 18-49 rating points from its next-day numbers to its L+7 finals.

· Season to date, “Grey’s Anatomy” is up over the same point last year in both viewers (+8%) and young adults (+6%).

“Scandal” (10:02-11:00 p.m.)

Growing week to week, ABC’s “Scandal” continued to close the gap with CBS’ “Elementary” in the 10 o’clock hour among Adults 18-49 (2.0/5 vs. 2.2/6 – pacing within 2-tenths of a rating point), while running well ahead of NBC’s “Rock Center with Brian Williams” in Total Viewers (+65% – 6.1 million vs. 3.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (+82% – 2.0/5 vs. 1.1/3). Additionally, “Scandal” once again defeated “Elementary” to stand as the No. 1 scripted TV show in its slot in Adults 18-34 and across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54).

· A big beneficiary of DVR playback, on average this season the ABC 10 o’clock drama surges by 2.4 million viewers and by 45% in Adults 18-49 over its first-reported L+SD numbers to its Live + 7 Day results.

Driven by “Shark Tank,” “A Special Edition of 20/20” and “20/20” in its regular 10:00 p.m. hour, ABC ran in a virtual tie for first place on Friday among the major nets in Adults 18-49 (1.5/5 vs. 1.7/5 – pacing within 2-tenths of a rating point and tied in audience share).

· The Network surged over the year-ago Friday by 1.5 million viewers and by 36% in Adults 18-49.

“Shark Tank” (8:00-9:01 p.m.)

At 8:00 p.m., ABC’s “Shark Tank” dominated its hour in Adults 18-49 (1.8/6), beating out NBC’s “Mockingbird Lane” by 20% (1.5/5) and Fox’s season premiere of “Kitchen Nightmares” by 100% (0.9/3) to lead the pack for the 7th consecutive week.

· Coming off last week’s series highs, ABC’s “Shark Tank” turned in its 2nd-biggest audience ever (6.8 million) and tied its 2nd-highest Adult 18-49 number for a regular telecast.

“A Special Edition of 20/20: All Access Nashville with Katie Couric” (9:01-10:00 p.m.)

· The ABC newsmagazine special improved its hour year to year by wide margins, up over the same night last year by 1.3 million viewers, by 18% in Adults 18-49 and by 20% in Adults 25-54.

“20/20” (10:00-11:00 p.m.)

Building on its lead-in at 10:00 p.m., ABC’s “20/20” outdrew NBC’s “Dateline” by 1.4 million viewers (5.9 million vs. 4.5 million) and by 11% in the key Adult 25-54 news demo (2.1/6 vs. 1.9/5) during the hour. Anchored by Elizabeth Vargas, “20/20” featured stories about people and animals with the “sixth sense.”

· Continuing to pace well ahead of the same point last year, ABC’s “20/20” grew over its year-ago telecast by double-digit percentages in Total Viewers (+11%), Adults 18-49 (+17%) and Adults 25-54 (+24%).

Saturday

With coverage of “Saturday Night Football” (Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma), ABC ranked No. 1 on Saturday night for the 2nd week running among Adults 18-49 (2.7/9), tying Fox with Game 3 of the 2012 World Series.

· Hitting season highs on the night, ABC jumped up week to week by 69% in Total Viewers (8.1 million vs. 4.8 million) and by 47% among young adults (2.7/9 vs. 1.7/6), generating its strongest Saturday performance in 2 months – since 9/1/12.

· Airing from 8:07-11:44 p.m., ABC’s “Saturday Night Football” qualified as the night’s No. 1 program for the 2nd straight week in Adults 18-49, topping the World Series game by 4% (2.9/9 vs. 2.8/9).

· Surging over the game coverage the prior week by 79% in viewers and by 61% in Adults 18-49, “Saturday Night Football” attracted its largest audience in almost 1 year and scored a best-since-premiere number with young adults – since 11/19/11 and 9/1/12, respectively.

· For the 2nd week in a row, “Saturday Night Football” was up over coverage on the year-ago night in both Total Viewers (+2%) and Adults 18-49 (+4%).

Sunday

Opposite another Sunday of substantial sports competition from Fox 2012 World Series Game 4 and NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” (Denver Broncos-New Orleans Saints), as well as storm coverage of Hurricane Sandy, ABC held all of its delivery week to week and beat out CBS on the night by 21% in Adults 18-49 (2.3/5 vs. 1.9/5).

“Once Upon a Time” (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

Leaping over its lead-in by 162% in Adults 18-49 and building from start to finish, ABC’s “Once Upon a Time” registered as Sunday’s top-rated scripted broadcast series for the 5th week in a row. “Once Upon a Time” beat out its non-sports competition from 8:00-9:00 p.m., drawing a larger overall audience than “Amazing Race XXI” (+4% – 9.8 million vs. 9.4 million) and beating the CBS unscripted series by a resounding 36% in Adults 18-49 (3.4/8 vs. 2.5/6). The Disney-owned drama once again finished No. 1 straight out in its hour across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54) and Teens 12-17. In fact, it was the No. 1 TV program of the night with Women 18-49.

· Season to date in the L+7 ratings, “Once Upon a Time” jumps by 3.0 million viewers and by 1.3 Adult 18-49 rating points (+37%) over its initially-reported Live + Same Day ratings.

· Building for the 2nd week in a row, ABC’s “Once Upon a Time” grew week to week in Adults 18-49 (+3%) and Adults 18-34 (+33%) to equal best-since-season-premiere numbers – since 9/30/12.

· Placing among the biggest freshmen series this season in DVR playback, on average “666 Park Avenue” sees its Live + 7 Day Adult 18-49 rating jump by 50% (+0.9 rating) and adds on another 2.1 million viewers over its Live + Same Day numbers.

Source: The Nielsen Company (National, Live+ Same Day Program Ratings), week of 10/22/12.

The big 4 networks’ PrimeTime has definitely kept me busy on my sweatpants and DVR days. Revolution, Nashville, Elementary and Fringe are all at the top of my favorites this year, and it’s nice to not have to set timers for any of them to record. My Hopper’s PrimeTime Anytime feature helps to save me a lot of hassle, so I have more time for actually watching the shows. I just need to convince a few friends that work at DISH with me to tune into Nashville and all will be right in the TV world.